IMPROVING THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION ACHIEVEMENT BY USING COMIC STRIPS AT SMP AL BAITUL AMIEN JEMBER IN THE 2012/2013 ACADEMIC YEAR
IMPROVING THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS’ READING
COMPREHENSION ACHIEVEMENT BY USING COMIC STRIPS AT SMP
AL BAITUL AMIEN JEMBER IN THE 2012/2013 ACADEMIC YEAR
THESIS
Written by:
Fathul Lubab Al Ubaidy
080210401071
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
THE FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
JEMBER UNIVERSITY
2013
IMPROVING THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS’ READING
COMPREHENSION ACHIEVEMENT BY USING COMIC STRIPS AT SMP
AL BAITUL AMIEN JEMBER IN THE 2012/2013 ACADEMIC YEAR
THESIS
Presented as One of the Requirements to Obtain the Degree of S1 of
the English Language Education Study Program, Language and Arts Education
Department, The Faculty of Teacher Training and Education
Written by:
Fathul Lubab Al Ubaidy
080210401071
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
THE FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
JEMBER UNIVERSITY
2013
i
DEDICATION
This thesis is honorably dedicated to:
1. my beloved parents: Nadlifah and Anas Salamun
2. my beloved siblings: Amam, Alam, Zaki, Yayak, and Iluk
ii
STATEMENT OF THESIS AUTHENTICITY
I certify that this thesis is an original and authentic piece of work by the
author himself. All materials incorporated from secondary sources have been fully
acknowledged and referenced.
I certify that the content of the thesis is the result of work which has been
carried out since the official commencement date of the approved thesis title; this
thesis has not been submitted previously, in whole or in part, to qualify for any
other academic award; ethics procedures and guidelines of this thesis writing from
university and the faculty have been followed.
I am aware of the potential consequences of any breach of the procedures
and guidelines, e.g. cancellation of my academic award.
I hereby grant to the University of Jember the right to achieve and to
reproduce and communicate to the public my thesis or project in whole in part the
University/ Faculty libraries in all forms of media, now or hereafter known.
FATHUL LUBAB AL UBAIDY
June 28th, 2013
iii
CONSULTANT’S APPROVAL
IMPROVING THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS’ READING
COMPREHENSION ACHIEVEMENT BY USING COMIC STRIPS AT
SMP AL BAITUL AMIEN JEMBER IN THE 2012/2013 ACADEMIC
YEAR
THESIS
Written by:
Name
: Fathul Lubab Al Ubaidy
Identification Number : 080210401071
Program
: English Language Study
Department
: Language and Arts
Faculty
: Teacher Training and Education
Approved by:
The First Consultant
The Second Consultant
Drs. Sugeng Ariyanto, M.A
NIP. 19590412 198702 1 001
Dra. Made Adi Andayani T., M.Ed.
NIP. 19630323 198902 2 001
iv
APPROVAL OF THE EXAMINATION COMMITTEE
This thesis is approved and received by the examination committee of the Faculty
of Teacher Training and Education, Jember University on:
Date : June 28th , 2013
Place: The Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Jember University.
The Committee
Examiner 2
The Chairperson/Examiner 1
Drs. Sudarsono, M.Pd
NIP. 131 993 442
Dra. Wiwiek Eko Bindarti, M.Pd.
Moderator:
Secretary:
Drs. Sugeng Ariyanto, M.A
NIP. 19590412 198702 1 001
Dra. Made Adi Andayani T., M.Ed.
NIP. 19630323 198902 2 001
NIP. 19561214 198503 2 001
The Dean,
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education
Prof. Dr. Sunardi, M.Pd
NIP. 19540501 198303 1 005
v
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank Allah SWT who always leads and grants me blessing
and mercy so that I am able to finish my thesis entitled, “Improving The Eighth
Grade Students’ Reading Comprehension Achievement by Using Comic Strips at SMP Al
Baitul Amien Jember in the 2012/2013 Academic Year”
In relation to the writing and finishing of this thesis, I would like to
express my great appreciation and sincerest gratitude to the following people:
1. The Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education.
2. The Chairperson of the Language and Arts Education department.
3. The Chairperson of the English Education Program.
4. My First and Second Consultants, Drs. Sugeng Ariyanto, M.A. and Dra.
Made Adi Andayani T., M.Ed. Thanks for their time, guidance, valuable
advice, suggestion, patience and motivation so that I can finish my thesis.
5. The Examination Committee and the Lecturers of the English Education
Program.
6. The Principal of SMP Al Baitul Amien Jember, Hizbullah Muhib, SE, the
English teacher of the eighth grade students, Syaiful Anam S.Pd., the
administration staff, and the eighth grade students who have given me
permission and helped me to obtain the data for the research.
Finally, I do hope that this thesis can give a useful contribution as well as
reference for the sake of the improvement of English teaching, especially the
teaching of reading. Any criticism and valuable suggestions would be appreciated.
Jember, June 28th, 2013
The Writer
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE ............................................................................................................
i
DEDICATION ...............................................................................................
ii
STATEMENT OF THESIS AUTHENTICITY ..........................................
iii
CONSULTANTS’ APPROVAL SHEET .....................................................
iv
APPROVAL OF THE EXAMINATION COMMITEE ............................
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS...............................................................................
vii
THE LIST OF APPENDICES ......................................................................
x
THE LIST OF TABLES ...............................................................................
xi
SUMMARY ...................................................................................................
xii
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Research Background ................................................................
1
1.2 The Research Problems ....................................................................
3
1.3 The Research Objectives .................................................................
4
1.4 The Research Significance ...............................................................
4
CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 The Definition of Comics .................................................................
6
2.2 Comic Strips ......................................................................................
7
2.3 The Strengths and Weaknesses of Comic Strips
2.3.1 The Strengths of Comic Strips ................................................
9
2.3.2 The Weaknesses of Comic Strips............................................
14
2.4 Reading Comprehension Achievement
2.4.1 Reading Comprehension ........................................................
vii
15
2.4.2 Reading Comprehension Achievement ..................................
16
2.5 Narrative Text ...................................................................................
22
2.6 The Procedure of Teaching Reading by Using Comic Strips…….…
23
2.7 Action Hypotheses .............................. ……………………………..
25
CHAPTER III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design ...............................................................................
26
3.2 The Operational Definition of the terms
3.2.1 Comic Strips ...........................................................................
29
3.2.2 Students’ Active Participation ................................................
29
3.2.3 Reading Comprehension Achievement .................................
29
3.3 Area Determination Method .............................................................
29
3.4 Subject Determination Method .........................................................
30
3.5 Data Collection Method
3.5.1 Reading Comprehension Test ..................................................
30
3.5.2 Observation ..............................................................................
31
3.5.3 Interview ..................................................................................
32
3.5.4 Documentation .........................................................................
33
3.6 Research Procedures .........................................................................
33
3.6.1 The Planning of the Action ......................................................
34
3.6.2 The Implementation of the Action ...........................................
34
3.6.3 Observation and Evaluation of the Action ...............................
34
3.6.4 Analysis and Reflection ...........................................................
35
CHAPTER IV. RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 The Results of the Actions in Cycle 1 ...................................................
37
4.1.1 The Result of Observation in Cycle 1 .........................................
38
4.1.2 The Result of the Students’ Reading Comprehension
Achievement Test in Cycle 1 ……..............................................
viii
40
4.1.3 The Reflection in Cycle 1 ............................................................
41
4.2 The Results of the Actions in Cycle 2 ...................................................
43
4.2.1 The Result of Observation in Cycle 2 ..........................................
43
4.2.2 The Result of the Students’ Reading Comprehension
Achievement Test .........................................................................
45
4.2.3 The Reflection in Cycle 2 .............................................................
46
4.3 Discussion .............................................................................................
48
CHAPTER V. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESSION
5.1 Conclusion ..........................................................................................
53
5.2 Suggestion ...........................................................................................
53
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................
55
ix
THE LIST OF APPENDICES
1. Research Matrix .........................................................................................
59
2. The Result of Interview with the English Teacher .....................................
60
3 The Observation Checklist of Students’ Active Participation ...................
61
4 The Names of the Research Subjects ........................................................
62
5. Lesson Plan Meeting 1 in Cycle 1 ..............................................................
63
6. Lesson Plan Meeting 2 in Cycle 1 ..............................................................
71
7. Reading Comprehension Test in Cycle 1 ....................................................
79
8. Lesson Plan Meeting 1 in Cycle 2 ..............................................................
85
9. Lesson Plan Meeting 2 in Cycle 2 ..............................................................
94
10. Reading Comprehension Test in Cycle 2 ...................................................
103
11. Observation Checklist Result Meeting 1 in Cycle 1 .................................
109
12. Observation Checklist Result Meeting 2 in Cycle 1 .................................
111
13. Observation Checklist Result Meeting 1 in Cycle 2 .................................
113
14. Observation Checklist Result Meeting 2 in Cycle 2 .................................
115
15. Reading Comprehension Test Result in Cycle 1 ......................................
117
16. Reading Comprehension Test Result in Cycle 2 .......................................
118
17. The Samples of the Students’ Worksheet of Reading Test in Cycle 1 ......
119
18. The Samples of the Students’ Worksheet of Reading Test in Cycle 2 ......
128
19. The Middle Test of the First Term of SMP Al Baitul Amien ...................
137
20. The Students’ Score Obtained in the Preliminary Study ...........................
139
21. Research Permission from the Dean .........................................................
140
22. Statement Letter of Accomplishing the Research from the Principal of
SMP Al Baitul Amien ................................................................................
141
23. The Sheets of Consultation History ...........................................................
142
x
THE LIST OF TABLES
3.1 Observation Checklist of Students’ Active Participation..........................
32
4.1.1a Observation Result for Each Indicators in Cycle 1 ...............................
38
4.1.1b The Total Number of Students Who Achieved the Target of the
Observation Indicators in Cycle 1 .........................................................
39
4.1.2 The Students’ Reading Comprehension Achievement Test Score in
Cycle 1 ....................................................................................................
40
4.2.1a Observation Result for Each Indicator in Cycle 2 ................................
44
4.2.1b The Total Number of Students who Achieved the Target of the
Observation Indicators in Cycle 2 .........................................................
44
4.2.2 The Students’ Reading Comprehension Achievement Test Score in
Cycle 2 ....................................................................................................
45
4.3a The Students’ Active Participation during the Reading Class by Using
Comic Strips .............................................................................................
49
4.3b The Total Number of Students who was Categorized as Active
Participants ..............................................................................................
50
4.3c The Percentage of the Students who Got Score ≥70 of the Tests in
both Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 .........................................................................
xi
50
SUMMARY
Improving
The
Eighth
Grade
Students’
Reading
Comprehension
Achievement by Using Comic Strips at SMP Al Baitul Amien Jember in the
2012/2013 Academic Year; Fathul Lubab Al Ubaidy, 080210401071; 2013: 144
pages; English Education Program, Language and Arts Education Department,
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Jember University.
Based on the result of the preliminary study conducted by semi structured
interview with the eighth grade English teacher of SMP Al Baitul Amien Jember,
the eighth grade students experienced difficulties in comprehending reading texts.
It was proved by the fact that there were 13 students or 52% who got 70 as the
minimum standard score or more and there were 12 students or 48% who got
below 70. It indicated that they did not actively participate in joining reading
class.
The above students’ low scores in reading comprehension were the
problem in this research. Therefore, this research was conducted to solve the
students’ problems by using comic strips as narrative reading material. Comic
strips were employed because they had never been used by the English teacher
and they also have some strength. Thus, this research is written to: 1) improve
students’ reading comprehension achievement and 2) improve students’ active
participation in joining reading class.
The design of this research was Classroom Action Research (CAR) with
cycle model. This research was conducted in two cycles and the data collection
methods were observation and test methods. The observer used an observation
checklist to identify the students’ active participation in joining reading class.
There were five indicators and the students were considered to be active
participants when they fulfilled at least three indicators. Meanwhile, the test was
reading comprehension achievement test in the form of objective tests which were
multiple choice and true/false forms. The data gained were analyzed statistically.
xii
In relation to the data gained, there were two requirements to judge
whether the actions were successful or not. First, the actions were considered
successful if 75% of the students actively participated in joining reading class by
using comic strips. Second, the actions were considered successful if 75% of the
students got score 70 as the minimum standard score or more.
In Cycle 1, the data indicated that the actions were not successful yet.
According to the observation results, there were 64% of active students in the first
meeting in Cycle 1 while in the second meeting, there were 68 % of active
students. Meanwhile, there were 70.8% of students who got score 70 or more in
reading comprehension achievement test.
These unsatisfactory results in Cycle 1 were because of some factors. First,
many students seemed hesitant and reluctant to ask the difficult words or phrases
of the comic strips. Second, some students seemed did not understand the
storyline of the comic strips. Next, some students did not discuss with their
partner in pair when they did a pair activity. The last, many students felt tired and
lacked for focus and energy when they were doing the reading comprehension test
since the test was administered in the last of the school hours.
In Cycle 2, the data indicated that the actions were successful. Before
continuing to Cycle 2, some revisions were undertaken from reflecting the actions
and the data in Cycle 1 in order to improve the results in Cycle 2. The revisions
effectively worked out. It was proved by the results of the observation and the
test. There were 84% of active students in the first meeting in Cycle 2. While in
the second meeting, there were 80 % of active students. Meanwhile, the number
of students who got score 70 or more in reading comprehension achievement test
was 84%.
Based on the results above, it can be concluded that the use of comic strips
could improve both students’ active participation and students’ reading
comprehension achievement. Therefore, comic strips can be as an alternative
reading material in teaching narrative text.
xiii
COMPREHENSION ACHIEVEMENT BY USING COMIC STRIPS AT SMP
AL BAITUL AMIEN JEMBER IN THE 2012/2013 ACADEMIC YEAR
THESIS
Written by:
Fathul Lubab Al Ubaidy
080210401071
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
THE FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
JEMBER UNIVERSITY
2013
IMPROVING THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS’ READING
COMPREHENSION ACHIEVEMENT BY USING COMIC STRIPS AT SMP
AL BAITUL AMIEN JEMBER IN THE 2012/2013 ACADEMIC YEAR
THESIS
Presented as One of the Requirements to Obtain the Degree of S1 of
the English Language Education Study Program, Language and Arts Education
Department, The Faculty of Teacher Training and Education
Written by:
Fathul Lubab Al Ubaidy
080210401071
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
THE FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
JEMBER UNIVERSITY
2013
i
DEDICATION
This thesis is honorably dedicated to:
1. my beloved parents: Nadlifah and Anas Salamun
2. my beloved siblings: Amam, Alam, Zaki, Yayak, and Iluk
ii
STATEMENT OF THESIS AUTHENTICITY
I certify that this thesis is an original and authentic piece of work by the
author himself. All materials incorporated from secondary sources have been fully
acknowledged and referenced.
I certify that the content of the thesis is the result of work which has been
carried out since the official commencement date of the approved thesis title; this
thesis has not been submitted previously, in whole or in part, to qualify for any
other academic award; ethics procedures and guidelines of this thesis writing from
university and the faculty have been followed.
I am aware of the potential consequences of any breach of the procedures
and guidelines, e.g. cancellation of my academic award.
I hereby grant to the University of Jember the right to achieve and to
reproduce and communicate to the public my thesis or project in whole in part the
University/ Faculty libraries in all forms of media, now or hereafter known.
FATHUL LUBAB AL UBAIDY
June 28th, 2013
iii
CONSULTANT’S APPROVAL
IMPROVING THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS’ READING
COMPREHENSION ACHIEVEMENT BY USING COMIC STRIPS AT
SMP AL BAITUL AMIEN JEMBER IN THE 2012/2013 ACADEMIC
YEAR
THESIS
Written by:
Name
: Fathul Lubab Al Ubaidy
Identification Number : 080210401071
Program
: English Language Study
Department
: Language and Arts
Faculty
: Teacher Training and Education
Approved by:
The First Consultant
The Second Consultant
Drs. Sugeng Ariyanto, M.A
NIP. 19590412 198702 1 001
Dra. Made Adi Andayani T., M.Ed.
NIP. 19630323 198902 2 001
iv
APPROVAL OF THE EXAMINATION COMMITTEE
This thesis is approved and received by the examination committee of the Faculty
of Teacher Training and Education, Jember University on:
Date : June 28th , 2013
Place: The Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Jember University.
The Committee
Examiner 2
The Chairperson/Examiner 1
Drs. Sudarsono, M.Pd
NIP. 131 993 442
Dra. Wiwiek Eko Bindarti, M.Pd.
Moderator:
Secretary:
Drs. Sugeng Ariyanto, M.A
NIP. 19590412 198702 1 001
Dra. Made Adi Andayani T., M.Ed.
NIP. 19630323 198902 2 001
NIP. 19561214 198503 2 001
The Dean,
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education
Prof. Dr. Sunardi, M.Pd
NIP. 19540501 198303 1 005
v
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank Allah SWT who always leads and grants me blessing
and mercy so that I am able to finish my thesis entitled, “Improving The Eighth
Grade Students’ Reading Comprehension Achievement by Using Comic Strips at SMP Al
Baitul Amien Jember in the 2012/2013 Academic Year”
In relation to the writing and finishing of this thesis, I would like to
express my great appreciation and sincerest gratitude to the following people:
1. The Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education.
2. The Chairperson of the Language and Arts Education department.
3. The Chairperson of the English Education Program.
4. My First and Second Consultants, Drs. Sugeng Ariyanto, M.A. and Dra.
Made Adi Andayani T., M.Ed. Thanks for their time, guidance, valuable
advice, suggestion, patience and motivation so that I can finish my thesis.
5. The Examination Committee and the Lecturers of the English Education
Program.
6. The Principal of SMP Al Baitul Amien Jember, Hizbullah Muhib, SE, the
English teacher of the eighth grade students, Syaiful Anam S.Pd., the
administration staff, and the eighth grade students who have given me
permission and helped me to obtain the data for the research.
Finally, I do hope that this thesis can give a useful contribution as well as
reference for the sake of the improvement of English teaching, especially the
teaching of reading. Any criticism and valuable suggestions would be appreciated.
Jember, June 28th, 2013
The Writer
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE ............................................................................................................
i
DEDICATION ...............................................................................................
ii
STATEMENT OF THESIS AUTHENTICITY ..........................................
iii
CONSULTANTS’ APPROVAL SHEET .....................................................
iv
APPROVAL OF THE EXAMINATION COMMITEE ............................
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS...............................................................................
vii
THE LIST OF APPENDICES ......................................................................
x
THE LIST OF TABLES ...............................................................................
xi
SUMMARY ...................................................................................................
xii
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Research Background ................................................................
1
1.2 The Research Problems ....................................................................
3
1.3 The Research Objectives .................................................................
4
1.4 The Research Significance ...............................................................
4
CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 The Definition of Comics .................................................................
6
2.2 Comic Strips ......................................................................................
7
2.3 The Strengths and Weaknesses of Comic Strips
2.3.1 The Strengths of Comic Strips ................................................
9
2.3.2 The Weaknesses of Comic Strips............................................
14
2.4 Reading Comprehension Achievement
2.4.1 Reading Comprehension ........................................................
vii
15
2.4.2 Reading Comprehension Achievement ..................................
16
2.5 Narrative Text ...................................................................................
22
2.6 The Procedure of Teaching Reading by Using Comic Strips…….…
23
2.7 Action Hypotheses .............................. ……………………………..
25
CHAPTER III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design ...............................................................................
26
3.2 The Operational Definition of the terms
3.2.1 Comic Strips ...........................................................................
29
3.2.2 Students’ Active Participation ................................................
29
3.2.3 Reading Comprehension Achievement .................................
29
3.3 Area Determination Method .............................................................
29
3.4 Subject Determination Method .........................................................
30
3.5 Data Collection Method
3.5.1 Reading Comprehension Test ..................................................
30
3.5.2 Observation ..............................................................................
31
3.5.3 Interview ..................................................................................
32
3.5.4 Documentation .........................................................................
33
3.6 Research Procedures .........................................................................
33
3.6.1 The Planning of the Action ......................................................
34
3.6.2 The Implementation of the Action ...........................................
34
3.6.3 Observation and Evaluation of the Action ...............................
34
3.6.4 Analysis and Reflection ...........................................................
35
CHAPTER IV. RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 The Results of the Actions in Cycle 1 ...................................................
37
4.1.1 The Result of Observation in Cycle 1 .........................................
38
4.1.2 The Result of the Students’ Reading Comprehension
Achievement Test in Cycle 1 ……..............................................
viii
40
4.1.3 The Reflection in Cycle 1 ............................................................
41
4.2 The Results of the Actions in Cycle 2 ...................................................
43
4.2.1 The Result of Observation in Cycle 2 ..........................................
43
4.2.2 The Result of the Students’ Reading Comprehension
Achievement Test .........................................................................
45
4.2.3 The Reflection in Cycle 2 .............................................................
46
4.3 Discussion .............................................................................................
48
CHAPTER V. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESSION
5.1 Conclusion ..........................................................................................
53
5.2 Suggestion ...........................................................................................
53
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................
55
ix
THE LIST OF APPENDICES
1. Research Matrix .........................................................................................
59
2. The Result of Interview with the English Teacher .....................................
60
3 The Observation Checklist of Students’ Active Participation ...................
61
4 The Names of the Research Subjects ........................................................
62
5. Lesson Plan Meeting 1 in Cycle 1 ..............................................................
63
6. Lesson Plan Meeting 2 in Cycle 1 ..............................................................
71
7. Reading Comprehension Test in Cycle 1 ....................................................
79
8. Lesson Plan Meeting 1 in Cycle 2 ..............................................................
85
9. Lesson Plan Meeting 2 in Cycle 2 ..............................................................
94
10. Reading Comprehension Test in Cycle 2 ...................................................
103
11. Observation Checklist Result Meeting 1 in Cycle 1 .................................
109
12. Observation Checklist Result Meeting 2 in Cycle 1 .................................
111
13. Observation Checklist Result Meeting 1 in Cycle 2 .................................
113
14. Observation Checklist Result Meeting 2 in Cycle 2 .................................
115
15. Reading Comprehension Test Result in Cycle 1 ......................................
117
16. Reading Comprehension Test Result in Cycle 2 .......................................
118
17. The Samples of the Students’ Worksheet of Reading Test in Cycle 1 ......
119
18. The Samples of the Students’ Worksheet of Reading Test in Cycle 2 ......
128
19. The Middle Test of the First Term of SMP Al Baitul Amien ...................
137
20. The Students’ Score Obtained in the Preliminary Study ...........................
139
21. Research Permission from the Dean .........................................................
140
22. Statement Letter of Accomplishing the Research from the Principal of
SMP Al Baitul Amien ................................................................................
141
23. The Sheets of Consultation History ...........................................................
142
x
THE LIST OF TABLES
3.1 Observation Checklist of Students’ Active Participation..........................
32
4.1.1a Observation Result for Each Indicators in Cycle 1 ...............................
38
4.1.1b The Total Number of Students Who Achieved the Target of the
Observation Indicators in Cycle 1 .........................................................
39
4.1.2 The Students’ Reading Comprehension Achievement Test Score in
Cycle 1 ....................................................................................................
40
4.2.1a Observation Result for Each Indicator in Cycle 2 ................................
44
4.2.1b The Total Number of Students who Achieved the Target of the
Observation Indicators in Cycle 2 .........................................................
44
4.2.2 The Students’ Reading Comprehension Achievement Test Score in
Cycle 2 ....................................................................................................
45
4.3a The Students’ Active Participation during the Reading Class by Using
Comic Strips .............................................................................................
49
4.3b The Total Number of Students who was Categorized as Active
Participants ..............................................................................................
50
4.3c The Percentage of the Students who Got Score ≥70 of the Tests in
both Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 .........................................................................
xi
50
SUMMARY
Improving
The
Eighth
Grade
Students’
Reading
Comprehension
Achievement by Using Comic Strips at SMP Al Baitul Amien Jember in the
2012/2013 Academic Year; Fathul Lubab Al Ubaidy, 080210401071; 2013: 144
pages; English Education Program, Language and Arts Education Department,
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Jember University.
Based on the result of the preliminary study conducted by semi structured
interview with the eighth grade English teacher of SMP Al Baitul Amien Jember,
the eighth grade students experienced difficulties in comprehending reading texts.
It was proved by the fact that there were 13 students or 52% who got 70 as the
minimum standard score or more and there were 12 students or 48% who got
below 70. It indicated that they did not actively participate in joining reading
class.
The above students’ low scores in reading comprehension were the
problem in this research. Therefore, this research was conducted to solve the
students’ problems by using comic strips as narrative reading material. Comic
strips were employed because they had never been used by the English teacher
and they also have some strength. Thus, this research is written to: 1) improve
students’ reading comprehension achievement and 2) improve students’ active
participation in joining reading class.
The design of this research was Classroom Action Research (CAR) with
cycle model. This research was conducted in two cycles and the data collection
methods were observation and test methods. The observer used an observation
checklist to identify the students’ active participation in joining reading class.
There were five indicators and the students were considered to be active
participants when they fulfilled at least three indicators. Meanwhile, the test was
reading comprehension achievement test in the form of objective tests which were
multiple choice and true/false forms. The data gained were analyzed statistically.
xii
In relation to the data gained, there were two requirements to judge
whether the actions were successful or not. First, the actions were considered
successful if 75% of the students actively participated in joining reading class by
using comic strips. Second, the actions were considered successful if 75% of the
students got score 70 as the minimum standard score or more.
In Cycle 1, the data indicated that the actions were not successful yet.
According to the observation results, there were 64% of active students in the first
meeting in Cycle 1 while in the second meeting, there were 68 % of active
students. Meanwhile, there were 70.8% of students who got score 70 or more in
reading comprehension achievement test.
These unsatisfactory results in Cycle 1 were because of some factors. First,
many students seemed hesitant and reluctant to ask the difficult words or phrases
of the comic strips. Second, some students seemed did not understand the
storyline of the comic strips. Next, some students did not discuss with their
partner in pair when they did a pair activity. The last, many students felt tired and
lacked for focus and energy when they were doing the reading comprehension test
since the test was administered in the last of the school hours.
In Cycle 2, the data indicated that the actions were successful. Before
continuing to Cycle 2, some revisions were undertaken from reflecting the actions
and the data in Cycle 1 in order to improve the results in Cycle 2. The revisions
effectively worked out. It was proved by the results of the observation and the
test. There were 84% of active students in the first meeting in Cycle 2. While in
the second meeting, there were 80 % of active students. Meanwhile, the number
of students who got score 70 or more in reading comprehension achievement test
was 84%.
Based on the results above, it can be concluded that the use of comic strips
could improve both students’ active participation and students’ reading
comprehension achievement. Therefore, comic strips can be as an alternative
reading material in teaching narrative text.
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